September 29, 2008

Historic Boost In Home Energy Efficiency Standards

The International Code Council (ICC), meeting in Minneapolis in late September, voted to approve a 15 percent increase in energy efficiency building code standards for now homes, townhouses, and some apartment buildings starting in 2009. The boost in energy efficiency will make a significant cut in energy costs, air pollutants, and global warming emissions.

"An estimated 3 million new homes and apartments will be built by 2012," says Sierra Club Cool Cities Campaign Coordinator Cammy Watkins, pictured above at right with "Energy Hog" Emanuel Figueroa of the Club's Energy Program and fellow Cool Cities Campaign Coordinator Colleen Sarna, in Minneapolis. "With this vote, building and fire officials made a great step to move America toward a cleaner and more affordable energy future."

Homes and buildings are the largest consumers of energy in the U.S., accounting for nearly half of all greenhouse gas pollution and using more than 75 percent of the electricity generated from power plants. Implementation of the measures approved at the ICC conference will potentially reduce global warming emissions by more than 200 million metric tons by 2030.

"The greening of residential codes shows the power of the Cool Cities activist network," says Cool Cities Director Glen Brand. "Activists from around the country were successful in getting their Cool City local officials to ask their building code officials to vote yes to energy and cost savings for millions of new homeowners."

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